Philadelphia Flyers
Can the Philadelphia Flyers’ Rebuild Ahead of Schedule?
The Philadelphia Flyers took a step backward in a drama-filled 2024-25 season. The team must now watch as their division rivals, the Washington Capitals, chase the Stanley Cup. The Caps are +1100 to hoist the silver chalice, according to FanDuel Sportsbook’s latest NHL odds.
As the NHL Playoffs unfold, the Flyers enter what may be the most crucial offseason in recent franchise history.
The Flyers have the fourth-best odds at the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. GM Daniel Briere also has the herculean task of finding a new head coach.
Can the Flyers rebound in the 2025-26 season? Here are a few reasons they can.
The Right Coach Can Push Michkov
The Matvei Michkov-John Tortorella relationship was never going to work. I can’t believe Briere ever thought it would.
The media loves Torts for his no-nonsense approach, but he often frustrates his star players.
Michkov was the subject of Tortorella’s bluster and still managed a 26-goal rookie season. A coach who values offensive talent could help the young Russian take the next step.
Top Four Pick Coming
The Flyers have a 9.5% chance at winning the 2025 NHL Draft lottery and a chance at C Michael Misa or D Matthew Schaefer. One of those two top-flight prospects would accelerate the Philadelphia rebuild.
A good NHL player is coming to Philadelphia via the draft, even if they don’t win the lottery. Forwards like Anton Frondell and James Hagens are solid prospects. The Flyers will get either if they stay at the fourth pick.
Another elite rookie prospect won’t push the Flyers into playoff contention next year but will pay dividends within the next few seasons.
Pick Stockpile Should Accelerate Rebuild
Like their cross-state rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Flyers have a stockpile of 2025 draft picks, seven in the first two rounds. They won’t use all of them.
GM Briere will likely trade draft slots for young, NHL-ready talent.
Philadelphia lacked significant depth at the center position, so I expect an aggressive pursuit of a young center.
The Philadelphia Flyers Could Be A 2025-26 Surprise
The Flyers’ preseason odds to make the playoffs in 2025-26 will likely be long but worth a small play, depending on the rabbits Briere pulls out of his hat.
A new coach will trigger a restart, Michkov is ready to blossom, and a top-four draft pick will join the roster. Mix in a few solid young players via trade, and the Flyers’ rebuild may turbocharge.
Matvei had 26 goals, not 24!!
Can the Flyers rebuild “ahead” of schedule?
Huh?
2021-2022… finished last in Metro.
2022-2023… finished next to last.
2023-2024… finished 6th of 8.
2024-2025… finished last.
It’s been 4 years of rebuild already. Do you think in 2021 the organization expected it to take this long? I’d assume a rebuild is usually a 2-3 year timeframe. We’re heading into season 5.
It’s been more like a decade – arguably 15 years. 10 years ago we were dreaming of Blueline 2020 when “the rebuild” was done. We were going to roll out Provorov, Sanheim, Morin, Hagg, Myers, Gudas, Gostisbehere and maybe Mark Friedman. Up front would be the likes of Couturier, Aube-Kubel, Lindblom, Konecny, Vorobyov, Rubstov, Laberge, Laczynski, Allison, Bunnamon, Patrick, Frost, Ratcliffe, Cates, Lycksell, O’Brien, and Farabee.
You are more optimistic than I am. But you’re right – it could be sped up with a good draft pick and astute trades or signings. The Capitals finished four points above the Flyers last season; this season they were #1 in the conference. We have a 9.5% chance of moving up to #1 or 2 in the draft, yes, but we also somehow have a 44.6% chance of moving down to #5 and a 20.8% chance of moving down to #6. I know it’s a lottery, but I don’t trust the NHL. (If the Penguins get the first pick with a 5% chance, I’m out). Plus, we just don’t make good decisions. We passed over Zeev Buium in last year’s draft and took Luchanko. Buium just played 13 minutes for Minnesota in game 1 of the playoffs. Rebuild, retooling, whatever it’s been called, it has been going on for a loooong time.
Quit flying the Zeev Buium flag. That ship has sailed since his agent is the same agent as Cutter Gauthier. The team wasn’t going down that road again no matter how good the player was.
The Capitals lucked out with a few astute trades that fell in their favor and they looked good in the regular season. The playoffs are a different story. It took an OT goal by Ovie to beat the 8th seeded Habs. The Caps won’t be in the finals
So, let’s not pick a highly-rated player because we’re afraid of his agent. Not a good formula for success. If the trades were astute, they weren’t luck. Caps may get bounced in round 2 but they vastly improved their team in quick order, which was the theme of the article.
I disagree with “and a top-four draft pick will join the roster”. From the 2024 draft, there were 2 players who made the NHL out of training camp. Just 2. One was Celebrini who was the #1 overall pick and the ONLY member of the 2024 draft to make a meaningful NHL contribution this season. The other was Luchanko. Only 3 other players in the entire draft played more NHL games than Luchanko’s 4. Generally, these guys won’t be joining NHL teams for 2-3+ years and won’t be making meaningful contributions for 3-5 years with only a very few exceptions.
Agreed…and that’s the ‘maddening’ pattern that the Flyers are known for. I’m always amazed that whenever the injury ‘bug’ his the Rangers or Pens, they’ll call up their minor league players to help keep the team afloat during the ‘rough’ times.
The Flyers have no one in their ranks who could shoulder that responsibility. I’m hoping that this mindset improves with Jonesy/Briere in charge.
Do we really think that we’ll select anyone with ‘…NHL Ready Talent…’ , whereas many of our draft picks historically have flopped on the NHL level, and wind-up languishing in the minor leagues? Most likely, their selection will be another project, who will need ‘seasoning’ (where have I heard that before?) and may/may not be ready to contribute in a few years.
One thing that the Flyers ought to concern themselves is how to build-around Michkov with some playmakers and a supporting cast who can complement his skill set.
If not, then they’ll run the risk of running this kid into the ground, and having nothing to show for their troubles.
A troubling pattern, which has plagued Philly’s other major sport teams.